Frequently called the Chapel in the Fields by
locals, it stands next to the newer village hall in Chapel Lane in open
country, a little to the east of the village centre.
It is
unknown when it became a Methodist one but services have continued to be held
over the years each Sunday.
As this is the only church in the village, the small congregation tends
to include people from a variety of denominations.
Additionally, it attracts visitors from
other churches from time to time and especially from the nearby caravan
sites and the holiday complex at Sibton Park.
After much fund raising and effort, a new rear
extension was built in 2008 which acts both as a vestry and a small social
room when tea and coffee are shared after services which makes the entire
building an attractive place to be.
Lyminge Parish Council have used the
Chapel from time to time for their meetings.
Rhodes Minnis Chapel has
close links with the Elham and Lyminge Methodist churches and we are all led
by our minister, the Reverend Kevin Taylor (but from September, 2021 by
Reverend Gill Songer). We quite
frequently join together for our services in one or other of these churches
under these close links.Services are held
at 9.30am on Sundays but with the occasional one at 3pm (at harvest festival and
Chapel Anniversary). The
local
Lyminge newsletter gives the details each month.
Two Christian
groups, the Caravanners & Campers Christian Fellowship
(inter-denominational) and the Baptist Caravan Fellowship have held rallies at
the Fir Tree Farm caravan site. Each
time they come they swell the congregation with their numbers, which can be
anything up to 30 people, and they take part by reading passages of scripture
and playing the organ.
You can be assured of a very warm welcome in
this lovely small countryside Chapel.
Covid-19 has substantially affected our activity but a limited number of
services recommenced in the Spring 2021 while applying all Government
Guidelines for our safety. Services
are held at present on the 2nd Sunday in the month but
additionally, a shorter congregation led service is frequently held on the 4th
Sunday in the month(Contacts
are Chris Tutton on 01303 862281 or Daphne Andrews on 01303 862865)